On Thursday, two e-bikes were stolen from Sierra Vista Middle School in Irvine. One of the bikes was tracking in Tustin, so the Irvine Police Department called their friends at the Tustin Police Department and asked them to give them a hand.

Tustin police officers located the stolen bikes and saw two men ride away on them. The men were stopped and detained.

Irvine police detectives responded and arrested Valente Hernandez, 33, of Tustin, and Roger Ernesto Custodio, 27, of Huntington Beach, for grand theft.

Another bike stolen from Beckman High School was also recovered during the investigation. The three bikes were returned to their owners.

This case highlights the value of hidden tracking tags on expensive items like e-bikes. Always use a heavy lock such as a U-lock when locking your bike. If you live in Irvine then make sure your bike is registered at Project529.com/irvine.

The Irvine Police Department thanks their friends at the Tustin Police Department for their partnership and excellent police work on this case!